In just a few short weeks, kids across the nation will be donning costumes and grabbing bags, pails or even pillowcases to go from door to door hollering the telltale words of the season — “Trick or treat!”
No matter the age of your little one, they are no doubt being swept up in the countdown to October 31st. Halloween has pervaded all corners of everyday life this month — so why not your kids’ libraries? Whether you’re looking for a scare-free read that will make the perfect bedtime story, or a thrill-filled novel sure to entrance even the most reluctant of readers, we’ve got the books for you. Here are six brand new picture books and six middle-grade reads to bring in the spooky season.
Spooky, Scary Skeletons: A Halloween Book for Kids and Toddlers by Andrew Gold, illustrated by Polona Lovsin
Featuring lyrics from Andrew Gold’s 1996 song that rocketed to TikTok fame, this whimsical read brings all the fun of trick-or-treating to story time. Spooky Scary Skeletons follows a gaggle of little skeletons as they go from door to door, causing mischief everywhere they go. But what happens when their antics get in the way of other trick-or-treaters’ enjoyment of the night? A skeleton dance might just do the trick to make everything better! This cozy Halloween read encourages us all to share the holiday and be respectful of other trick-or-treaters.
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Christy Mandin
Self-described as “a new picture book about being your best, creepiest self,” Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden brings the spooky-and-altogether-ooky vibes of Wednesday Addams to a great lesson about authenticity. Before Millie Fleur La Fae moved to Garden Glen, each garden was just as boring at the last. But now, Millie Fleur’s is full of everything from Sneezing Stickyweed and Fanged Fairymoss to Grumpy Gilliflower! Not everyone in the town is a fan of her choice in plants, however. Does Millie Fleur throw in the trowel — or will she find kindred spirits who appreciate the same wicked weeds as her?
Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis
Little Ghost and his mom have lived in their creaky old house for a hundred years. But as much as Little Ghost has watched neighbors come and go, he’s never felt brave enough to go and say hello. When a little girl moves in next door, though, Little Ghost wants to make a friend! But how exactly does a ghost befriend a human without scaring them? This sweet treat of a book celebrates making a new friend and encourages us to reach out to those around us.
Itty Bitty Betty Blob by Constance Lombardo, illustrated by Micah Player
Everybody knows that monsters are supposed to be scary, right? Itty Bitty Betty Blob knows that, too — but as much as she tries to be scary, she just can’t! Today is picture day at her school, and Betty knows all the other monsters will be growling and howling — but even with the horrid scaly black dress her mom picked out for her, Betty doesn’t have that screech in her heart. What’s a little monster to do? Perfect for read-alouds, Itty Bitty Betty Blob reminds us that being true to ourselves may feel scary, but that our individuality is what makes us shine.
The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom! by Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath
Reminiscent of Kiki’s Delivery Service, this adorable tale follows a little witch who’s — you guessed it — lost her beloved broom, just before the full moon! Not one to miss out on the midnight ride she’s so looked forward to, this little witch looks high and low for her broom. She even considers possible replacements, like a scooter or bike, but time is running out and nothing compares to a good old witch’s broom. Will the reader be able to help this little witch before time runs out?
Feeling Boo by Alex Boniello and April Lavalle, illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller
Co-written by authors and Tony Award-winning producers Alex Boniello and April Lavalle, Feeling Boo is a tender Halloween read similar to The Rabbit Listened. Little ghosts Ollie and Ellie have been friends for centuries — always visiting the same old haunts and taking midnight floats through town. But one night, Ollie wakes up feeling blue, and Ellie just can’t seem to cheer him up. This lovable tale reminds us that when you can’t outfly a case of the “boos,” sometimes the best thing a friend can do is just to be there for you.
Misadventures in Ghosthunting by Melissa Yue
Teenage angst, family secrets and magical calligraphy combine in this middle-grade debut. Emma Wong is struggling to balance her two lives — surviving school by day and hunting ghosts at night. And it’s not like she can ask her family for help with the supernatural, right? Except that Emma soon learns a couple important lessons; one, that her grandma is a ghost-shanking exorcist herself, and two, that Wongs are stronger when they stick together against whatever’s in their way — whether it’s slipping grades or creatures crawling out of the Underworld. Packed with compelling characters (some living, some not), Misadventures in Ghosthunting weaves supernatural intrigue through the story of a child of immigrants grappling with family secrets.
A Bite Above the Rest by Christine Virnig
Caleb isn’t thrilled when his mom tells him they’re moving — and he’s even less thrilled to learn they’re moving back to his mom’s hometown of Samhain, Wisconsin. Every day in Samhain is Halloween, and Caleb becomes an outcast for being nearly the only person in town who isn’t a fan of all these spooky traditions. Things only get weirder the longer he stays — why does the mayor insist on City Hall only being open at nocturnal hours? Why is he starting to think his teacher’s a werewolf? What’s really going on in this town? Dressed up with zany Halloween antics and raucous humor, deep at heart this book is a tender story of making a home where you may not feel like you belong.
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga
The New York Times bestselling author of A Rover’s Story and Other Words for Home returns with a delightful tale of mystery, featuring a supernaturally charged art heist and a turtle who knows too much. A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall stars Rami, who sees a strange girl floating through the museum — only to realize that the girl looks just like the painting that’s recently gone missing! Rami enlists the help of his classmate, Veda, in the hopes of solving the mystery of what the girl’s appearance has to do with the recent theft. Help might just come in the unexpected form of Agatha, the turtle who’s watched it all go down. But how exactly do all these pieces fit together? You’ll just have to read the book to find out — and along the way, experience a story about how art can be a tool to help us understand one another.
The Secret Dead Club by Karen Strong
Wednesday Thomas sees ghosts — but just because she sees them doesn’t mean she wants anything to do with them. Determined not to use her abilities after a terrifying experience, she’s determined to start a new, non-occult chapter of her life. But all that flies out the window when her family moves to Georgia and Wednesday comes face-to-face with a group of girls who are way too knowledgeable about the spirit realm. Miki and Danni-Lynn seem to know about every ghost in town, from the spirits that haunt the school to Wednesday’s ghostly neighbor. And then Wednesday’s invited into the Dead Club, and she learns that the supernatural antics have only just started. Full of intrigue and a cast of compelling characters, The Secret Dead Club is a read you won’t want to miss.
Camp Twisted Pine by Ciera Burch
Naomi doesn’t want to go to summer camp. She’s perfectly happy experiencing the wonder of nature through books — but it’s not like she has much of a choice when her parents send her and her younger twin brothers to camp while they iron out their divorce. Naomi’s piece of solace at camp is her bunkmate Jackie, who quickly becomes her closest friend — that is, until she disappears along with a string of other campers, including one of Naomi’s brothers. Now Naomi must figure out what’s stalking through Camp Twisted Pine and fight to get her friend and brother back, no matter how much she lacks in hands-on experience with the outdoors. Full of suspense, Camp Twisted Pines brings the Pine Barrens of New Jersey into startling clarity and uses the legend of the Jersey Devil to craft a wholly unique and thrilling narrative.
Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig
Yes, that Chuck Wendig — the man behind the Star Wars Aftermath novels, the Atlanta Burns books, the Heartland YA series and a creator of projects in film, comics, games and television. This bestselling author’s latest middle-grade novel stars Ethan Pitowski, a boy who might just be afraid of everything. As scared as he is, though, Ethan is strong-armed into attending a Halloween party with his entire 6th grade class, complete with a viewing of “the scariest movie ever made.” Problem is, the monster movie isn’t just scary — the movie is a monster, one that only a terrified Ethan manages to escape. The only partygoer left to rescue his friends and classmates, Ethan must face his many, many fears to best a monster that is fear incarnate. Amidst spectacular scares and laugh-out-loud humor, Monster Movie! holds within it a touching story of battling anxiety and monsters alike in order to be a courageous hero.
